Local News

State Rep. Terry Mills doesn't have any opposition in the Democratic primary election. But he will have a challenger in November for the 24th District seat, which now includes Green, LaRue and Marion counties.

J. Alex LaRue of Hodgenville and Richard Treitz of Green County are vying for the Republican nomination in the May 20 primary election. A third Republican candidate, Amber Rogers Dones of Hodgenville, has withdrawn from the race.

Both LaRue and Treitz believe that something needs to change in Kentucky.

Marion County Judge/Executive John G. Mattingly announced that local government offices will have changes from their regular hours to allow employees to attend Good Friday services if they desire.
The Marion County Road Department will run a short work schedule on Friday, April 18, and the department will close as soon as the Friday trash collection routes are finished. Mattingly noted that sanitation crews may be running sooner than usual on Friday, so residents on those routes may want to put their trash out earlier than usual that day.

Applications for scholarships offered by the Marion County chapter of the NAACP are now available in the guidance counselor’s office at Marion County High School. The local NAACP chapter is giving out two $500 scholarships, one from the NAACP and one from the family of Verda Calhoun.
To apply, fill out an application and mail it to the address on the application form by Friday, May 2. Applicants are encouraged to start early because the application takes time and thought to complete.

Marion County dropped four places in the latest county health rankings, but there is something more important in the data, according to Regan Hunt, the executive director of Kentucky Voices for Health.
“There’s no way you can compare an Oldham County to a Pike County,” she said.
Instead, she encourages citizens and local officials to compare their local data from year to year.

April is Autism Awareness Month and the Washington County Autism Support Group Inc. (WAGS INC.) is hosting the Autism Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, April 26, at the River of Life Church located at 1250 Highway 555 in Springfield. The event is free to the general public. There will be free kid games, a Wood Workshop sponsored by Lowes, vendor shopping, a silent auction, informational booths, door prizes, raffles, a balloon release and a special recognition ceremony for those affected by autism.
Hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, drinks and snacks will be available.

Marion County Jailer Barry Brady said things are starting to improve financially at the Marion County Detention Center.
"Looking at our stats from seven months ago, it's a significant change," Brady told the Marion County Fiscal Court during its April 10 meeting.
In August, the detention center housed an average of 247 inmates per day, and the county received nearly $204,000 for housing state prisoners. Last month, the detention center housed an average of 290 inmates and received nearly $261,000 in revenue from the state.

Pepsi's warehouse in Lebanon is expected to close by the end of May.
Gina Anderson, a spokesperson for Pepsi, confirmed that the company plans to close the local warehouse by the end of next month.
In a written statement, Anderson noted that the work at the Lebanon warehouse will be moved to other Pepsi facilities.
"Nearly all affected employees will be offered other positions within the company in the area and we’re committed to providing support to any remaining affected employees by offering outplacement services," Anderson wrote.

An audit report released Thursday by the Marion County Board of Education shows sloppy accounting practices at Marion County High School.
“In my opinion, this is the worst bookkeeping I’ve seen anywhere,” Board Chairman Michael Mullins said. “I can’t believe we are keeping books like this in the school system.”
There was no indication that any money was missing, Mullins said. But, the bookkeeping at MCHS, in particular, was a mess and it’s the board’s responsibility to make sure taxpayers funds are spent correctly, he said.

On Aug. 13, 2013, this Board unanimously approved retention of an independent auditor to conduct an in-depth analysis of the activity funds of the Marion County School system for the years 2011 through the 2013 school year. In that regard, the firm of White and Company. P.S.C., Certified Public Accountants, was retained to conduct that review and analysis.